How Much THC Should I Take For Sleep?

A growing body of research suggests that THC can play a significant role in promoting sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, it may help you fall asleep faster. 

…cannabis may alter your sleep architecture, a term that describes how long you spend in the different sleep stages. Short-term cannabis use appears to increase the time you spend in deep sleep, the stage that helps you wake up feeling refreshed.

But how much THC should you take for a good night’s sleep?

While too much THC might lead to undesirable effects such as grogginess or cognitive fog, smaller amounts of cannabis can potentially help regulate sleep cycles, reduce nighttime awakenings, and enhance the overall quality of sleep.

We’ll be talking about microdosing a lot, so here’s our guide on microdosing THC and how it may promote health. 

Let’s delve into the relationship between cannabis and sleep and the right THC dosage. 

What Is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. THC is often associated with the psychoactive effects that occur during consumption. A few types of THC have been extracted from the cannabis plant, and the most notable ones are Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC) and Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 THC). We’ll be talking about the first THC type and its effects on sleep, so make sure to read everything about it in our in-depth look at Delta 9.

Because it interacts with cannabinoid receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS), THC produces its euphoric effects but also has a wide range of therapeutic properties. 

THC in the Endocannabinoid System

The ECS is a network of signals and receptors that regulates many bodily functions such as sleep, emotion, memory, appetite, pain levels, and more. It is comprised of:

• Endocannabinoids. These neurotransmitters attach to receptors in our body and catalyze chemical processes. 
• Cannabinoid receptors. The main receptors in the ECS are CB1 and CB2. 
• CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain and central nervous system. They are especially abundant in brain areas important for motor control, memory processing, hunger management, and pain modulation.
• CB2 cannabinoid receptors are found in cells associated with the immune system and the peripheral nervous system. 

As a phytocannabinoid (cannabinoid from plants), THC binds to both receptors, but its interaction with the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is what produces its potent therapeutic effects. Delta 9 THC also stimulates dopamine-releasing signals, which help promote feelings of pleasure.

Our hemp-derived Delta 9 THC edibles are the best way to promote feelings of happiness and mental and physical health. You can choose from a range of potency levels and flavors, but one of our favorites is the strawberry-licking Euphoria gummies. They contain 10 mg of THC, which is well below the psychoactive threshold.

How Does THC Impact Sleep?

The effects of THC on sleep are dose-dependent; small quantities of THC are beneficial for sleep, while higher doses may potentially lead to sleep issues. 

Through interaction with CB1 receptors, THC produces relaxing and sedative effects. The endocannabinoid system’s lipid ligands bind naturally to cannabinoid receptors. One of the major CB1 agonists, called anandamide, has been shown to increase the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phase. A study revealed that anandamide “strikingly increases slow-wave sleep (SWS)2 and rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep at the expense of wakefulness.” 

We spend more time dreaming during REM sleep, which is important for processing emotions and cementing new memories. REM sleep is extremely important for people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example.

Other studies show that THC can decrease the time it takes to fall asleep and increase the overall time spent sleeping. Babson, et. al. claim that “cannabis use may have a positive effect on sleep duration in middle-aged and older adults.” Their study found that THC and CBD have great potential as sleep aids, increasing sleep duration without notably affecting sleep efficiency.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another major phytocannabinoid. According to Babson, et. al., “CBD may hold promise for REM sleep behavior disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness.” Both CBD and THC are beneficial for sleep, but it’s important to take them at lower doses. Higher amounts of THC may interfere with the natural sleep cycle and potentially lead to feelings of grogginess in the morning. 

With our low-dose THC, there’ll be no grogginess in the morning. Only 2 mg of THC in our Sleep Plus gummies is enough to guide you gently into the realm of dreams. Whether you're battling with insomnia or simply looking for a natural sleep aid, these lavender-infused edibles aim to enhance your nighttime routine without affecting the quality of your sleep. 

Finding the Right Dose: How Much THC Is Good For Sleep?

Determining the right dosage of THC for sleep can be tricky, as it varies from person to person. It often depends on personal factors such as:

• Overall health
• Body weight
• Individual tolerance to THC
• Specific sleep issues

Lower doses of THC, typically 2–5 mg, are best for improving sleep. For experienced cannabis users, 5 mg of THC is a good dosage for sleep. If you’re new to THC, start low (1–2 mg) and work your way up as your tolerance increases. Don’t worry, 5 mg of THC will produce only a mild euphoric experience without overwhelming your senses. 

Incidentally, our divine Bliss gummies contain 5 mg of THC and CBD. They are ideal for reducing stress levels and counting sheep faster.

The Best Way to Take THC

There are various ways to consume THC, such as smoking, vaping, tinctures, and topicals. But we’re team edibles through and through. Here’s why we love everything about our delicious, hemp-derived THC gummies, especially when it comes to promoting sleep. 

• With gummies, dosing is a breeze. Each gummy contains a precise amount of THC, so you always know exactly how much you're consuming. This can help you avoid taking too much, which is often a risk with methods like smoking or vaping and can lead to uncomfortable side effects that could disrupt sleep rather than promote it.
• Because they are ingested, THC gummies are metabolized more slowly. This results in a slower onset of effects, but the effects of cannabis are often more sustained. For those who also need help with quality, uninterrupted sleep, gummies could be the ideal choice.
• THC edibles are discreet and easy to use. They are portable, require no additional equipment, and can be taken without drawing attention, unlike methods such as smoking or vaping.
• Many THC gummies are infused with other sleep-promoting ingredients, giving you a more comprehensive approach to sleep improvement. Some cannabis users report that therapeutic effects on sleep are enhanced when a product contains a combination of CBD and THC. 

This synergistic interaction between cannabinoids is known as the entourage effect. In the entourage effect, the benefits of each cannabis compound become more pronounced when you take them together. This means that THC and CBD together have more benefits for sleep than either cannabinoid in isolation. 

THC and CBD are two powerful cannabinoids from cannabis plants. Take a peek at our in-depth comparison of CBD and THC to learn about their differences, similarities, and effects. 

Full Spectrum Gummies to Promote Sleep

Explore our full spectrum products that combine therapeutic benefits of CBD and THC. Our full spectrum gummies also contain other minor cannabinoids and cannabis compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. 

For the ultimate full spectrum CBD gummies for sleep, try some of our sleep edibles that also contain melatonin. Melatonin plays a critical role in the sleep-wake cycle. In our Sleep Plus gummies, 3 mg of melatonin complements the natural relaxing and sleep-promoting properties of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Read more about sleep-promoting melatonin, and be sure to check out our collection of melatonin gummies. 

Benefits of Microdosing Cannabis With THC Edibles

Delta 9 THC gummies allow you to incorporate small amounts of cannabis into your everyday life while remaining productive and functional. Here’s how microdosing THC with our tasty edibles can benefit your health: 

1. Low doses of THC and CBD can successfully fight off stress and anxiety. People microdose Delta 9 for anxiety, but also to alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental disorders.
2. Taking low amounts of Delta can fight social anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and panic disorders. Low doses of THC might also be great for stage fright.
3. Cancer patients microdose Delta 9 THC to suppress feelings of nausea and vomiting and treat other symptoms. THC has potent anti-cancer properties: it may even prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading to other cells.
4. Did you know cannabis is good for the brain, too? Low doses of THC seem to help dementia patients by promoting creation of new neurons in the brain. Read more about the effects of THC and CBD on neurogenesis. 
5. Delta 9 can slow the progression of glaucoma and treat symptoms of increased eye pressure—nausea, pain, and discomfort. Are you interested in taking THC to lower pressure in the eye? Check out what edibles are best for glaucoma. 
6. We mentioned earlier that cannabis increases levels of dopamine, the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, in the brain. But THC also elevates serotonin levels, producing feelings of happiness and reward. Both neurotransmitters are essential for mental and physical health. While low amounts may be beneficial for boosting serotonin, higher doses of THC may exacerbate a condition called serotonin syndrome, which can be serious and even life-threatening. With our low-dose edibles, there are no risks of serotonin syndrome or cannabis toxicity. 

The benefits of microdosing cannabis with edibles don’t stop there. Explore in more detail how consuming our delicious Delta 9 gummies really makes you feel. 

The Best THC Gummies For Sleep

Speaking of the best edibles, we aim to offer the highest-quality selection of gummies on the market. Traditional sleeping pills often come with a host of potential side effects, including next-day grogginess, dependence, and even memory issues. In contrast, our low-dose cannabis gummies offer a more natural approach to inducing sleep, with fewer side effects and a gentler impact on the body. 

Let’s reveal our top picks for the most sleep-loving THC gummies in our shop. 

• Our Energy gummies contain only 2.5 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD. With these low amounts of cannabis, they beat sleep medications by a mile. These blood orange-flavored chews aim to uplift, relax, and provide the z’s.
• Whether you’re seeking to relax or fall asleep after a long day, our Relax Plus gummies are just what you need. They not only contain low doses of THC to induce sweet euphoric dreams, but are also packed with the most refreshing watermelon taste.
• While not technically gummies, our extra powerful Sleep Drops are a beneficial sleep aid. With a CBD to THC ratio of 20:1, they are made with a custom formulated blend of full spectrum hemp extract to improve sleep and also help calm the mind. The combination of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids is perfect for those euphoric dreams—don’t lose a single sheep.

Resources

Cannabis for Sleep: Benefits and Risks | Sleep Foundation. (2021, September 14). https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-aids/cannabis-and-sleep

Anandamide modulates sleep and memory in rats. (1998, November 24). ScienceDirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(98)00969-X

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature - PubMed. (2017, April 1). PubMed. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0775-9

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